A Day in the Life of Pallas Karting

Who would’ve thought that Europe’s Largest Karting Centre had such humble beginnings? Twenty years ago, no one would’ve thought that the farm would become a famous activity centre for stag groups, hen groups, families, friends, classmates, and colleagues.

We interviewed the man behind that transformation to find out about how they got into the karting business and more.

What made you decide to start Pallas Karting?

Pallas Karting is located in Tynagh, Co. Galway and 20 years ago, farming was the way of life. We had a 40 acre farm with cows and sheep. One trip to England changed all of that. That trip made me realise that there must be more to life than farming. So, when I returned, we all decided to forfeit the cows, sheep, and grass for karts and tarmac.

Some said it was mad (Most people really). Mad because farming was “the thing” back then and that was all they knew.

In Tynagh, the “if you build it they will come” mentality was used and that’s what we did. After all, our location was perfect as we are only an hour from Galway, Limerick, Ennis, and Athlone.

Our dream did not start and end with building a karting centre. We wanted Pallas Karting to become Europe’s Largest Karting Centre and we achieved that dream in 1998.

We get asked a lot, “Why aren’t ye closer to closer?” Two things, we are where we are and if we were nearer Galway, there would be probably no track and where the track was, there would houses on it from the great Celtic Tiger.

Now, if you go anywhere and mention karting in Ireland, you will hear the name of Pallas Karting. So, from hosting cows and sheep, we now host All Ireland Karting Championships, drifting events, rally events, corporate and school days and so many stag and hen parties you could not count.

Describe a typical day in the life of Pallas Karting?

Manic – racing always. The day is full with signing in, briefing, togging out, maintenance, and trophy presentations. Most importantly, the day is full of lots of smiling faces and happy customers.

We are open 7 days a week, nearly 360 days a year, so there is always something going on, something to be done, and someone to look after. Things don’t just happen for you. You have to get out there and do it or get it.

What has been your best achievement?

Lots of achievements really, finally becoming Europe’s Largest Karting Centre in 1998 is a big achievement. The pride of holding the All Ireland Karting Finals at Pallas Karting every year since 1998 is another. We have come a long way from humble beginnings which we never forget.

Then, more recently, in 2013 the opening of Pallas Paintball, Galway’s first and only Paintball site can be considered our most recent achievement.

What activities do you offer at Pallas Karting?

In addition to our famous (and) Europe’s Largest Karting Circuit, we also have our 500m family track which is as large as most tracks in the country, if not bigger. Anyone can race at Pallas Karting from the age of 10 years old.

Since 2013, we have introduced Paintballing to our portfolio, Galway’s only Paintball field, which obviously also makes us the best when it comes to paintballing in Galway. We pride ourselves on having a top class paintball as well as karting facility. No point in having one great and not the other. So, we strive to make all our events top class.

On top of all this, you can bring your Race Kart or Rally Car to Pallas Karting for testing from Monday to Friday nearly all year round. Drifting events are also held at Pallas Karting, so if it has an engine and four wheels, there is surely an event for you. Or, you can go paintballing.

What is your hobby or pastime?

The usual rugby, football, and racing on anything with four wheels. I enjoy wearing lyric based t-shirts, free sarcasm, and listening to good loud music (Dinosaur Jr. and Kasabian), mad moody music (The Cure and The Smiths), and husky crooners (Tom Waits and Nick Cave).

Oh… and we still do a little farming to keep us off the psychiatrists’ couch.